The Citabria
has its origins in the Aeronca 7 Champion of
the post-WW2 era. Aeronca sold rights to the
Champion Aircraft Company in 1951, who
dropped the Champion model and developed the
Model 7 Traveller and Challenger. The
Citabria, based on the Challenger, first
flew in May 1964.

Bellanca took over production of the Model 7
ECA in 1970. Now known as the Citabria, it
was then powered by a 115 hp (85 kW) O-235
engine. It became available as the 7GCAA
Citabria 150 and 7CGBC Citabria 150S with
increased wing span and trailing edge flaps.
A utility version, the 7GCBC Scout of 1971,
could be fitted with floats or skis, and
could be fitted for agricultural work.
Bellanca production ended in the early
1980s, with Champion producing a small
number of aircraft in 1985-86. American
Champion re-introduced some of the range in
1990-91, with the Citabria Aurora appearing
in 1995 and other variants following.
Over 6000 of all models built. Approx 70
delivered in 1998.